5-Star Hotels in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

This is a long-established hotel, very close to Kyoto Station, the city's main transportation hub. The rooms are spacious with large windows that let in plenty of light. For breakfast, you have a choice of two restaurants: one is a rotating restaurant on a high floor with great views, offering a set menu. The other is a buffet on the first floor with a very rich selection. The downsides are the lack of laundry facilities, the bathroom isn't wet/dry separated, and the room lighting is a bit dim.

This was our first time staying in the Gion area, and Hotel the Celestine truly elevated the experience. The atmosphere is calm, elegant and very Kyoto. From check in to departure, everything felt smooth and professionally handled. The cleanliness was impeccable. The room was thoughtfully arranged with a perfect balance of modern comfort and traditional Japanese touches. Beds were extremely comfortable and the space felt well planned, not cramped like many city hotels. What makes this hotel special is the location. Stepping outside places you immediately in the charm of old Kyoto. Walking through Gion in the early morning before the crowds arrive was unforgettable. Service deserves special mention. The team was polite, warm and always ready to assist with genuine hospitality. A beautiful property for anyone who appreciates quiet luxury in a prime cultural setting. We would gladly stay again.

The hotel's location is fantastic! The design is also very modern and forward-thinking. The front desk and concierge staff were all incredibly enthusiastic and always attentive to whether we needed any assistance. It was a very satisfying stay. We stayed in Japan for 7 nights and switched between 3 hotels, and this was by far the most satisfying five-star hotel experience!

This morning, while stretching, I was reminded of my mornings doing yoga at the Gate Hotel, and some snippets of my stay there. Suddenly, I understood why I liked this hotel so much. It's because it reminded me of my time at drama school! This trip to Kyoto, we first stayed at Takasegawa for three days. I chose it because it's convenient for getting around and close to a shopping center, making it easy for Auntie Yang, who has mobility issues, to get around. The result? My mom was very happy, and I was even happier! The very next day, I WeChat-messaged my girlfriend, telling her I'd found the perfect hotel for her in Kyoto – you can do yoga, practice calligraphy, there's a co-working space, and you can stroll by the river anytime. It's practically a 1:1 replica of your downtime routine in Beijing! And why did I like it so much? Because it genuinely transported me back to the Nanluoguxiang area twenty years ago! The Takasegawa and Pontocho in the early morning, completely devoid of tourists, with only small vans parked on the side of the road delivering to restaurants, like an abrupt silence in the midst of boisterous laughter. It was the same scene and feeling on countless mornings when I walked through Luoguxiang and the hutongs towards Shichahai. The Kamo River in the morning is still quiet, just like Houhai in the morning; it still belongs only to those who live by it day in and day out. The hotel's lounge is on an upper floor, offering views of the entire Higashiyama area, with beautiful moments both morning and evening. In early summer, there's nothing more blissful than sitting outdoors, sipping coffee, and reading. When I was in school, I often did the same during this season: I'd take a book and a water bottle up to the top of my dorm building, looking out at the Drum and Bell Tower, which seemed to float above a sea of green waves in the distance. And those couples sunbathing on the sports field, the teenagers practicing kendama in the shade, the groups of friends chatting on the steps – that's the view I used to have from the third floor of my dorm: musical theater students doing acrobatic flips on the field, now-famous celebrities shooting hoops alone on a half-shaded court, classmates engrossed in conversation on benches with books. It even has a library and a 'study room'! The lounge on the third floor, in particular, brought back memories of the 'small garden' at my East Campus. It's that perfect spot where, when you return at night and don't want to go out again but still crave some outdoor time, you can sit there with a bonfire, drinking tea and listening to music. Now, I want to explore more hotels converted from old schools when I travel to other places!

The room is quite spacious, and the transportation is very convenient, with a subway station not far away. The most convenient part is the hotel's shuttle bus, which departs for Kyoto Station at 55 minutes past the hour, making it easy to explore nearby attractions. It returns from Kyoto Station at 25 minutes past the hour. The driver was very steady and polite. The breakfast was especially good; the hotel offers a wide variety, including Wagyu beef, grilled salmon, and both rice porridge and Western-style buffet options. The fruit was fresh every day, with sweet strawberries and pineapples. The downside is that the laundry room was under renovation when I visited, so self-service laundry wasn't available. Also, I noticed a lingering smell of renovation, perhaps because the room hasn't been occupied much, leading to less ventilation. The surrounding environment is very quiet.

My main goal for this Kyoto trip was to revisit Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari-taisha, and explore Kibune. So I chose to stay near Kawaramachi, and ended up picking this Hilton. The hotel is right by Shiyakusho-mae Station on the Tozai Line. I'd recommend using the Kawaramachi Plaza exit, as it's the only one with an escalator; if you use Exit 1, you'll have to carry your luggage yourself. Technically, you can't see Honno-ji Temple's graveyard from the hotel, but it is close to the road and can be a bit noisy at night. In the mornings, there are fewer motorcycles, and Sundays are quiet – I even slept through breakfast one day! You can walk to Keihan Sanjo Station, enjoying the Kamo River along the way. If you prefer, it's also just one subway stop. It's not far to walk to Kawaramachi Shijo either, and there are plenty of dining options nearby. This time, I surprisingly opted for a breakfast and dinner package. The variety was better than at Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjo Premier, but they don't change their menus, so eating the same thing for three consecutive days can get a bit monotonous. As for a drawback, I'd suggest the hotel checks the elevator buttons – the static electricity is quite bad; I got shocked almost every time.

Facilities: My only complaint is that the king-size bed in the king room is made of two single mattresses pushed together, and after sleeping on it for a while, a gap forms between them. Hygiene: The hygiene is excellent. Environment: The surrounding area is very quiet, and there are convenience stores not too far away. Service: The service attitude is great, and the hotel even offers free shuttle service to Kyoto Station.

This hotel exceeded my expectations! The room was larger than average and exceptionally clean, with a separate shower and bathtub. The Refa showerhead and hairdryer were a nice touch and worked great. The room had modern amenities, and the trash bins were emptied promptly. The hotel's location is super convenient. There are many designer shops and delicious restaurants nearby, and it's just a short walk to Nishiki Market. Karasuma Oike Station is also right next door, offering direct access to Shijo and Kyoto Station. I was really satisfied with my stay; it offers excellent value for money! I highly recommend the wagyu BBQ restaurant next to the hotel (Wagyu Yakiniku Horumon Sankichi). The owner and staff were very friendly, the wagyu quality was superb, and the set menus were great value, plus you can enjoy all-you-can-drink!

The hotel had an authentique Japanese feel to it , very spacious rooms , kind staff , and perfect location ! If you are coming from Tokyo to get another feel of Japan then this must be the perfect location ! Being used to major hotels in Tokyo , this came as a contrast , it felt like a traditional home but with all the luxuries you need. I highly recommend

The hotel's location is quite good, and watching the sunset from the courtyard is truly beautiful. Perhaps because it was the off-season, the entire hotel felt very quiet, comfortable, and relaxing. The staff at reception were all very welcoming, and their attention to detail was excellent. Breakfast was relatively average, nothing special but perfectly adequate. The hot springs were quite comfortable, and not crowded at all. There are both indoor and outdoor options, and soaking in the outdoor springs when there's a big temperature difference is really pleasant. The only downside was that after a day of activities, I wanted to take a bath, but found a very noticeable hair from a previous guest in the bathtub that hadn't been cleaned. I contacted the front desk, and they sent someone up to clean it, which took about 20 minutes to resolve.